{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Bacillus thuringiensis as a Biofertilizer and Biostimulator: a Mini-Review of the Little-Known Plant Growth-Promoting Properties of Bt.
{Author}: Azizoglu U;
{Journal}: Curr Microbiol
{Volume}: 76
{Issue}: 11
{Year}: Nov 2019
{Factor}: 2.343
{DOI}: 10.1007/s00284-019-01705-9
{Abstract}: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a gram-positive spore-forming soil microorganism. Because the insecticidal activities of Bt are well known, it has been used as a tool for insect pest control worldwide. The beneficial features of Bt are not limited to its role as an insecticide; it is also used to control phytopathogenic fungi via chitinolytic activity. Bt-related studies are mostly focused on its biocontrol properties. However, studies focusing on the biostimulation and biofertilizer features of Bt, including its interactions with plants, are limited. Bt is a successful endophyte in many plants and can directly promote their development or indirectly induce plant growth by suppressing diseases. Although there are various commercial biopesticide Bt-based products, there are no commercial Bt-based plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria products on the biofertilizer market. As novel Bt strain exploration increases, there will likely be new Bt-based products with powerful biofertilizer activities in the future. The objective of this paper is to review, discuss, and evaluate the exceptional features of Bt as a plant growth promoter.